how do i restore my computer

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I want to completly clear my computer to get rid of all the programs and
files that i dnt use any more. I cant find the windows xp disk so is there a
program i can download to do this.
 
why_me143 said:
I want to completly clear my computer to get rid of all the programs and
files that i dnt use any more. I cant find the windows xp disk so is there a
program i can download to do this.
Click to expand...

If you want to completely erase your disk and get
rid of all programs and data then you can do this:
- Boot the machine with a Win98 boot disk from
www.bootdisk.com.
- Run fdisk.exe to delete all partitions.
- If fdisk.exe won't touch some partitions, get rid of
them with delpart.exe (http://www.russelltexas.com/delpart.htm).
 
why_me143 said:
I want to completly clear my computer to get rid of all the programs and
files that i dnt use any more. I cant find the windows xp disk so is there a
program i can download to do this.
Click to expand...


You can't do it without the installation CD, unless the computer
manufacturer provided some other means, such as a hidden Recovery
partition on the hard drive. Consult the manual that came with the
computer.

To obtain a replacement CD:

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
manufacturer.

Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered the
opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the
installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot
devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm


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why_me143 said:
I want to completly clear my computer to get rid of all the programs
and files that i dnt use any more.
Click to expand...


Why? Why not simply uninstall the programs and delete the files?

I cant find the windows xp disk
so is there a program i can download to do this.
Click to expand...



No, there is no legal download that will substitute for an installation CD.

Are you sure you ever had a Windows CD? What kind of computer is it? Did it
come with Windows pre-installed?

If you had an installation CD and lost it, you're out of luck. Your only
recourse is to buy a new copy.

But if your computer came with Windows pre-installed and you never had a
Windows CD, read the following:
OEM vendors are required by their agreement with Microsoft to give you a
means of reinstalling, should it be necessary. They can do this in one of
three ways:

1. An OEM copy of Windows
2. A restore CD
3. A hidden partition on your drive, with restore information.

If you don't have 1 or 2, you should have 3, but you should contact your
vendor to find out.

Personally, I find both 2 and 3 unacceptable (especially 3; a hard drive
crash can leave you with nothing), and would never choose to buy a computer
that came with an operating system unless I got a complete generic
installation CD for that operating system.
 
You can remove programmes in Add remove programmes in control panel,
files can be deleted manually

You seem to suggest that you want to remove windows completely and
start a fresh, once you do this and reformat the hard drive you will
certainly need the Windows XP installation disk. Before you venture
into this mode you need to ensure that you have all the drivers for
the mobo and any hardware like modem's etc.

Perhaps you will confirm that this is what you want to do because once
you reformat the hard drive you will loose the entire data on the disc
including the operating system.

If it is a registry cleaner that you are after, then I would suggest
you take care in what you delete as these can cause more harm than
good if not used with care.

Davy
 
Pegasus said:
If you want to completely erase your disk and get
rid of all programs and data then you can do this:
Click to expand...

And how would you suggest that the OP restore everything to its
original state without having his/her ORIGINAL DISC??
 
Uncle Grumpy said:
And how would you suggest that the OP restore everything to its
original state without having his/her ORIGINAL DISC??
Click to expand...

The OP was a little ambiguous in his post. While the
Subject line said "Restore", the words in the post said
"completely clear". Anyway, I think I made it abundantly
clear that my method would erase everything on his disk.
 
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